Muscat: The government civil and military authorities ratcheted up operations to restore normalcy in the cyclone-hit areas in North Al Batinah Governorate.
The North Al Batinah Municipality is making great efforts to reopen roads and remove rocks and debris and drain water from roads and public areas.
Engineer Sultaiman bin Hamad al Sunaidy, Director-General of North Al Batinah Governorate, said that the municipality continues its efforts to repair the damage caused by the tropical condition Shaheen in cooperation with government authorities and private companies and volunteering teams. He added that these efforts have been successful as 1,598 roads have so far been reopened. In addition, 16,235 valley crossings have been cleaned up and rainwater syphoned off from 699 locations.
The municipality has removed 7,083 dead animals whose carcasses caused foul odour from different wilayats of North Al Batinah Governorate, the official said.
The North Al Batinah Municipality received 1,128 reports since the beginning of the tropical condition. Acting in response to these reports, the municipality in cooperation with volunteers cleaned up 3,974 houses and 317 shops, Al Sunaidy said.
Her Excellency Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, on Wednesday visited the Wilayat of Saham and met with a number of the affected families in the presence of Shaikh Saif bin Hemiar al Shuhi, Governor of North Al Batinah and Shaikh Awadh bin Abdullah al Mantheri, Wali of Saham.
In exclusive comments to Oman Arabic, sister publication of the Observer, the minister of social development said that her visit to the Wilayat of Saham is part of a series of visits conducted by the members of the committee tasked with following up the impact of the tropical condition.
The minister of social development listened to a number of citizens who have been affected by the tropical condition. More than 600 affected houses have been registered in the Wilayat of Saham.
The minister of social development also visited the wilayats of Al Khaboura and Al Suwaiq where she inspected affected houses, affirming that the committees are currently assessing the scale of the damage in the affected wilayats.
Shaikh Saif bin Hemiar al Shuhi, Governor of North Al Batinah told Oman Arabic that the visit aimed to ensure that the working is going on to restore normal life in the affected places, confirming that most of the affected roads have been reopened and water supply has been fully restored.
